Nowra Preview & Best Bets – 31/12/2023

Nowra Tips for Sunday, December 31

Our form expert provides Nowra tips for today’s horse racing at Nowra Racecourse and gives his best bets.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 3:  No.7  ULYSSES BLUE  ($2.80 with bet365)

The Terry Robinson-trained ULYSSES BLUE is second-up today and looks well placed to improve in this contest. Last start, the Americain mare resumed off a six-month absence and ran well when finishing mid-field (beaten three lengths) in a Class 2 Hcp over 100m against city class gallopers at Rosehill. The four-year-old won her maiden here three starts back and as she returns to the country scene, she should find this event a lot easier. Shaun Guymer is legged aboard for his first ride on the mare and from gate, she maps to settle near mid-field with cover. She finished runner-up when second-up last preparation and with a trouble-free run here, she looks the one to beat today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 5:  No.6  MAJORIAN  ($3.60 with Palmerbet)

Decimated by scratchings here, the Annabel Neasham-trained MAJORIAN draws a lot closer to the fence now and having her third race-start, looks in the mix to break through today. Last start, she finished third in a 1500m Maiden at Newcastle, holding her ground in the run home. She will strip even fitter here with two runs under her belt as Louise Day takes the reins for the first time. Up to the mile today, she maps to settle just behind the speed and with a clear run home, she looks a real chance of taking this out.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 4:  No.8  ARTIEBETT  ($4.45 with BoomBet)

Warwick Farm galloper ARTIEBETT is three starts into this preparation and down in grade today, looks set to bounce back and record her third win this time in. Last start, the Flying Artie mare was staring at a hat-trick when she found the city-class runners a little too slick on the day, finishing fifth in a BM64 over 1200m at Canterbury. Louise Day was aboard that day (after steering her to victory at Canberra the previous start, on a Heavy 10.) Day sticks with her here with the Heavy 9 surface today appearing to be no issue after that Canberra win. Fourth-up, she will be at her peak here and with a clear run to the line, she looks hard to hold out in this easier affair.